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If you have ever rented an apartment and then lived the entire length of the lease in regret and misery, then you know that is an experience you never want to repeat. Although it is sometimes difficult to predict which apartment will turn out to be a horror, more often than not, there are signs we could have heeded which would have spared us the stress. It does not matter if you are renting apartments corpus christi or you are renting elsewhere, if you do not want to spend the next year down in the dumps because of your horrible apartment, here are some red flags to heed.

Unbelievably cheap price

You know what they say – if it’s too good to be true, it IS too good to be true – and this comes to bear especially with rental properties. If the apartment in question is several hundred dollars cheaper thatn the going rate for an apartment in a particular location, then there might be something fishy about the apartment. Don’t be afraid to ask your landlord or agent point blank questions and if those questions are not answered satisfactorily, move on.

Safety considerations

If you look around a potential apartment and can’t find the safety exits, then your warning bells should start clanging. Ask about safety exits and where they are located. This is not just limited to the exits though. If there is no smoke alarm or the doors are not very strong or the locks are wobbly, then that is a red flag and a sign that there are probably other safety violations that are not immediately apparent to you. It might also be a strong sign that you should not rent that apartment. This applies as well to apartment rentals in corpus christi.

Negligible maintenance

This is a giant red flag. In fact it is so huge a flag that the entire apartment should be shrouded in it. If you notice that there is peeling paint or other signs of neglect, then steer clear of that apartment. If the landlord has no trouble showing you the apartment in such a shabby state, then you can be sure that there would be many more hidden defects you might not discover until it’s too late. Also, if you need something to be repaired or maintained later, the response rate might be excruciatingly slow or non-existent.

Advertised as Utilities Included

Unless it is a serviced apartment, when an apartment is advertised as utilities included, it should immediately raise a red flag and until you confirm otherwise, it is safe to assume that the person renting it out does not have the permission to do so. It might be an illegal sublet and whoever letting it out does not want it discovered that a different name is paying for the utilities because that would show that there has been a violation of the permitted occupancy of the apartment.

If you are searching for apartments in corpus christi tx, you should also beware of overeager landlords who try to pressure you to take a lease. The red flags are always there if you only pay attention.

The best way to rent a property is to see for yourself what you are renting and inspect all the features to be sure they meet up to your expectations. But what happens when you are living in one city and want to rent long distance in another city, but do not have the time to go up and see the apartment yourself? This is most often the case for people who are moving to a new location for one reason or another, or for those who want to rent short term, maybe for a vacation. Most people deal with this situation by calling up agents in the new city and even then, it could be a headache. Here are some tips to help you with your long distance apartment search.

For long distance apartment search, your first point of call is the internet. Let’s say you are looking for apartments in corpus christi tx for example, you can search the internet for useful information. These days there are several online sites with good reputation which can be a source of first research, providing you with an idea of what you are searching for. A careful search through the various listings on these sites will help you discover certain information such as the crime rate in the neighborhood, the proximity of the apartments to lifestyle locations and the nearness of the neighborhood to the beach, if you are looking for a beach house. You can also figure out what apartments have the features you like and the number of bedrooms. If you are conducting an internet search, try to look at listings that have photos of the property.

Another thing you can do for a long distance apartment search is to leverage on your network. This includes both offline and online networks. For your offline networks, let your friends know that you are searching for an apartment in a particular city and ask them to inform their own network. Strong social skills are always a plus. The same goes for online networks. Put up posts in social networking sites such as Facebook.com and Twitter.com. Also utilize local forums so that you can get feedback from people who live in the city you are considering. Posts such as renting apartments corpus christi can get you direct information from locals.

Finally when you have done your research and narrowed down your choices, it will be a good idea to take a weekend and fly out so you can personally view the apartment rentals in corpus christi. Checking out the apartments will help to focus your search and it means that there will be no nasty surprises later on. When it comes down to it, there really is no better alternative to paying a visit to the rental properties you have shortlisted and finding out if they are what you need.

When searching for long distance apartments it is not advisable to rush the process. Take your time and ensure that you are getting exactly what you want within your budget.

Finding the right apartment can be a bit of a hassle especially if you are renting in a new city. Each city has its dynamics and sometimes, a simple internet search is insufficient to tell you all you need to know about the city and the rent opportunities in the city. If you are renting apartments in corpus christi tx, for instance, it is important to have a good idea of what you are looking for. Choosing a rental property can be confusing however, there are certain features you should look at before you decide.

One feature to consider when renting an apartment is the price. Before you begin your search you should have a budget within which you would work. If the price for a rental is above your budget, you already know not to bother with the property. What of when the rental is within your budget? In such a situation, you need to research. The fact that the rent for an apartment falls within your budget does not mean that the asking price does not far exceed what it is worth. Some rentals might be worth paying high prices for, such as serviced apartments in tx. Whatever the case, it might be a good idea to consult a property manager so that you do not end up paying more for the property that it’s worth.

Another feature you might want to look at is the location of the property. It is said that property has to do with location and this is very true when you are thinking of renting an apartment. It is important to research the neighborhood and find out if it is in a prime location. It is a good idea to know if the neighborhood that you are interested in has a high prevalence of crime. If you have kids, then proximity to schools, healthcare and other facilities is also an important consideration.

When searching for apartment rentals in corpus christi, find out which apartments come close to what you’re searching for. A good idea is to have a list of what you want in a rental and then mark what you absolutely cannot do without. For instance, you might be searching for a three bedroom with each room en suite and a large kitchen. While you might be willing to compromise on the size of the kitchen, having each bedroom en suite might be non-negotiable for you. So identify what you are searching for and know what the deal breakers will be.

Finding the right apartment can be stressful, but it does not have to be that way. If you take the time to research the apartments you are interested in and use the services of a property manager, then a lot of the stress will be taken away. Keep your budget in mind and always make reference to your list of important features, that way you will not end up paying more for an apartment than it’s worth plus there is the added satisfaction of getting what you need within your budget.

There are several things you need to consider before renting an apartment mostly because the choices are often many and once you make your choice, you are bound for a year. Therefore it only makes sense to carefully search for apartments you will be happy with and only make your choice after you are sure that certain considerations have been met. So if you are searching for an apartment, here are four things to look out for.

The first thing to consider is the size of the apartment you are searching for. It is important to know whether you are searching for a studio apartment, a one bedroom or a three bedroom apartment. This decision has a lot to do with your needs and your preference. If you are not living alone or you like a lot of space, then a studio apartment or a one bedroom might not be the best option for you. Although this is not strictly a determinant of size, it is also useful to decide if you want furnished apartments like the serviced apartments in tx as this will also help you narrow down your search.

Another thing to consider is the location of the apartment. When it comes to property, whether you are buying or renting, the location is of primary importance. If for instance, you are considering apartments in corpus christi tx, a few questions you need to ask include how accessible the apartment is and how close to important amenities. How safe is the neighborhood and are there problems with noise? To determine this you will have to visit the area where the apartment is located. Don’t visit just once either, but visit during the day, at night, on weekdays and on weekends. This way you will have a good feel for the location and whether it is one you would like to live in for an entire year.

The next issue to pay attention to is the price of the apartment. There is no point taking an apartment which is above your budget. If paying the rent will strain you beyond measure, then you know to look elsewhere. When considering the price, don’t just think of the rent alone but remember that you will also be paying utilities as well so this should also be considered especially if you are thinking of renting apartments corpus christi.

Finally, find out the length of lease being offered. Most apartments require a rental lease of six months to one year. If you are not interested in that length and wish to have a month by month lease, then that will considerably affect your choices as you might have less options to choose for and the price would most likely be higher than the alternative.

There are other things to consider when renting an apartment such as the available amenities, whether pets are allowed, if it’s a no smoking area and so on. You should have a list of features that are important to you and remember to ask questions before renting.